Gelsenkirchen, 11 March 2021 – Masterflex SE (ISIN: DE0005492938) generated revenue of EUR 71.9 million in 2020 according to preliminary figures. This corresponds to a decrease of 10.1% compared to the previous year's revenue of EUR 80.0 million. Operating EBIT in the 2020 financial year was EUR 3.2 million, compared to EUR 5.1 million in 2019, resulting in an operating EBIT margin of 4.4% (previous year: 6.3%). Masterflex SE thus reached the upper end of the forecast range for 2020 in terms of revenue and exceeded it in terms of operating EBIT. The company had forecast a decline in consolidated revenue of 10% to 15% due to the effects of the Corona pandemic. The target range for the operating EBIT was between EUR 1.0 million and EUR 2.5 million.
The entire year 2020 was dominated by the Corona pandemic, with the low point being passed in the second quarter of 2020. The demand situation was particularly challenging in the aviation, automotive and mechanical engineering sectors. In contrast, the medical technology, food and pharmaceutical industries showed a positive demand trend, so that the Group was able to compensate for the massive economic fluctuations to a large extent.
The consistent implementation of the "Back to Double Digit" (B2DD) optimisation programme, with which Masterflex SE is pursuing the goal of sustainably returning the operating EBIT margin to the double-digit range by 2022, played a significant role in the pleasing business development in view of the challenging circumstances. The optimisation measures introduced were once again significantly expanded in the course of the Corona pandemic, so that in 2020 the company succeeded in closing every quarter - with the exception of the last, traditionally weakest quarter in terms of turnover - with operating black figures, reducing net debt and increasing liquidity despite the global recession.
Dr Andreas Bastin, CEO of the Masterflex Group: "2020 was the first year in eleven years in which we had to record a decline in revenue due to the corona virus. Nevertheless, we are very satisfied with our achievements in view of the protracted pandemic. We reacted quickly, decisively and flexibly to the effects and were thus able to preserve not only our profitability, but above all the health of our employees. As part of our Back-to-Double-Digit programme, we have intervened at the right spots and the first positive effects are now becoming visible, so we can look to the future with great confidence."
Note:
The financial figures are still subject to confirmation by the auditors and approval by the Supervisory Board. The 2020 consolidated financial statements will be published on 31 March 2021.